Are PDAs Dead?
on 02.27.05, 01:41pm in Uncategorized • comments (5)
I’ve been a PDA user for as long as the concept has been around - going as far back as a Newton Messagepad and the HP-95lx days (speaking of which, I just dug up the Newton from the garage, I need to see if I can power it up). I’ve even written a book or two on writing software for them, but I think I’m ready to finally admit that the PDA is dead. Well, it is for me at least.
While I was waiting (patiently) for the MPX to finally be released, I complained about the lack of innovation and the issues around upgrading them. So I switched over to the AudioVox 5600 a few months back and it’s been everything that I used a PDA for: mobile email, light surfing, appointments and contacts.
I admit, I still can’t type an email on it. And yes, I initially poo-poo’d the Audiovox. But I’m no longer waiting for the perfect PDA (again, for me).
Martin G Brown (February 27, 2005 @ 3:37 pm)
Personaly I would class anything that does “mobile email, light surfing, appointments and contacts” as a PDA. Hence the PDA is not dead. They still exist except now they do “talking to people a long way off” as well.
Nat (February 27, 2005 @ 4:36 pm)
PDA are still there… thay are only being merged with cell phones…
Dave Goodman (February 27, 2005 @ 5:40 pm)
I, too, used to write code for the HP 95lx. Great little machine for its time. I’ve also written code for the Zoomer, the onHand watch and assorted other orphans.
I don’t think the PDA is dead. It’s just gotten married to a phone, but hopefully without losing its identity. Some PDA’s are still single, some are now married.
Personally, I’d hate to be without my Pocket PC, it’s like a second brain. Granted, though, I’m a geek and to me a PDA is something more than a gadget on which to store contacts and appointments. I learn its capabilities and I augment it with hardware and software to maximise its usefullness. I don’t think I’ll stop using a PDA until I can plug a stick in my head and access memory and applications directly with my brain.
(P.S. I accidentally posted this comment to the wrong message. Please delete it from the hockey post.)
Steve (February 28, 2005 @ 8:34 am)
Perhaps I should have said: “Is the PDA form factor dead?”. I personally dont consider PDA/phone the same thing as a Smartphone.
chris (March 4, 2005 @ 6:31 am)
I am currently working on a software project for PDA in industry. I think this is a sector which will still see growth, as it is much easier to carry a PDA with you (for maintanance calls, in a production hall, etc.) than a laptop (some service technicans have a choice and choose PDA) and a smart phone is just a tick too small (and fragile!)… of course, the PDAs I am talking about are industrial strength: built-in barcode scanners, rubber bumpers, etc.